Tiger Pride: Resources for LGBTQIA+ students and allies

June 6, 2022

Towson University has a longstanding commitment to creating a multicultural and diverse campus. This includes fostering a climate grounded in respect and inclusion to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire TU community.

Not just during Pride Month, but throughout the year, Towson University provides or supports dedicated groups, resources and programs that celebrate and support LGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff.

The ideals of Pride Month live at Towson University thanks to programs and resources that give LGBTQIA+ individuals a sense of community and inclusion. Last November, TU received a five-star rating from CampusPrideIndex.org, a national assessment tool assisting campuses in improving safety and campus climate for people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

With Pride Month underway, here are some of the resources, programs and events offered on campus that support the LGBTQIA+ community at TU and beyond.

Student Organizations

The Queer Student Union

Winner of the SGA's Platinum Award for student involvement, the Queer Student Union (QSU) is a driving force on campus for awareness, activism, community, education and student support. 

Since its creation in the 1980s, QSU has continued to deliver enrichment that allows students to grow and develop in the college environment, and through programming and action, QSU has galvanized into a potent and diverse organization run by and for students. 

QSU is proud to watch LGBTQ and allied students become strong, developed and empowered persons. 

Learn more by following them on Twitter and Instagram.

In The Life

In the Life creates community for Black and queer students of color at TU, though they actively welcome anyone who has an interest in sharing this space with them. Members of In The Life have fun together, educate themselves and try to become the best, most open versions of themselves within their circumstances. 

The group’s primary goal is to provide a brave space in which their members may challenge stigma and advocate for themselves and their peers. They encourage diversity and work to ensure that they create a safe space that takes the intersections of everyone’s experiences into account. 

In The Life hosts meetings and fun activities revolving around the issues and desires of our population largely impacting queer people of color, and it is a chance for students to engage in a conversation that is not only intellectually stimulating but also enjoyable. All members of the LGBTQIA+ community are welcome.

Learn more about In The Life by following the group on Instagram

GenderBLUR

GenderBLUR is a student organization focused on supporting and advocating for trans, nonbinary, agender, gender non-conforming and intersex students and their allies. 

To learn more about GenderBLUR, follow the group’s Instagram.

Baltimore Pride Parade

Baltimore City Pride is returning to in-person activities this month, including the annual Pride Parade on Saturday, June 25. The Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity is organizing the TU contingent in the Parade. Any interested students, staff, faculty, alumni or families who would like to march with TU in the parade should register online at https://tinyurl.com/TUPride2022.

Resources

Sexuality and Gender Diversity Student Development Program 

The Sexuality and Gender Diversity Development Program provides events, education and resources for a diverse population of students that includes Tigers from various sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, abilities, races and ethnicities.

Their extensive programming supports Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, etc. (LGBTQIA+) Tigers, women and femme identities, gender issues and experiences.

The program hosts various events throughout the academic year that bring together our community and allies. Some of their keynote events include National Coming Out Day, the Women in Leadership Conference, and Lavender Celebration

Queer Peers

The Queer Peer Mentor Program supports LGBTQIA+ students through their unique and individual identity development journey safely, privately and positively. 

The program is multi-faceted, and nearly anyone can benefit from the program’s various components. While the program’s primary goal is to foster one-on-one, mentor-to-mentee relationships, there are also opportunities for individuals to get the support and knowledge they need for their identity development, even without a one-on-one mentor relationship. 

Critical aspects of the program include: 

• The one-on-one pairing of a trained pride mentor with a mentee.
• Safe space to express and explore your identities. 
• Queer after-hours social event – hosted once per semester. 

How to BECOME A MENTOR or mentee:

Mentors receive professional training related to issues that relate to LGBTQIA+ identity development, mental health, activism and advocacy, transgender identities, queer resilience and other relevant topics, including:

• Ability to help other students profoundly and positively along their LGBTQIA+ journey. 
• One-on-one personalized meeting with trained staff for resume, cover letter, job/internship/research search and professional development advising.
• Access to leadership training and professional development opportunities.
• Priority access to relevant events, trips and conferences as available each semester/year.  
• Networking opportunity with LGBTQIA+ TU alumni. 
• Free TU pride mentor t-shirt.

Mentees will receive assistance in accessing on-campus LGBTQIA+ resources, connecting to student organizations and navigating college life. 

• One-on-one meetings with a trained LGBTQIA+ mentor to assist with LGBTQIA+ identity development, questions, and other needs as appropriate.
• Instant network of LGBTQIA+ people on campus. 
• Priority access to relevant events and field trips.  

For more information, contact the Queer Peers at towsonqueerpeer@gmail.com.  

TU Allyship & Advocacy Training Series

The Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity will be launching a revised allyship and advocacy education and training workshop this summer.

Open to all members of campus, the series includes foundational concepts, tools and resources related to diversity, equity and inclusion, social justice and advocacy also with specialized modules that address specific communities including LGBTQ+, disabilities, undocumented, international, and more.

Public sessions are offered throughout the year and can also be requested for specific groups, teams, or offices.

Rainbow Lounge and Resource Library 

The Rainbow Lounge is a space for LGBTQIA+ students and allies. It is located in the Center for Student Diversity, on the 3rd Floor of the University Union. It is great place to meet and hang out with other LGBTQIA+ people in an accepting and welcoming atmosphere.

While not currently open because of ongoing renovations, The Rainbow Lounge contains many LGBTQIA+ resources including books, magazines and movies and is typically open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.- 5p.m.

Currently, the Rainbow Lounge is scheduled to reopen for the Spring 2023 semester, and the CSD staff is excited for students to be provided this new and updated space.

The Towson University Counseling Center

The TU Counseling Center is well trained to positively serve transgender or gender-variant students who would like one-on-one, confidential support. The center offers short-term counseling (10-sessions max) and provides referrals to trans-friendly therapists in the Baltimore area (including those on a sliding fee scale) who are trained to assist clients during the transition process. 

Gender-Inclusive Housing Options

Gender-inclusive housing is a voluntary living option where students can be assigned to live in the same room with any other student, regardless of sex, birth gender, biological gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

Students must specifically request this housing option, and it is space limited. Contact the Department of Housing & Residence Life at (410) 704-2516 for more information.

Chosen & Preferred Names

TU students, faculty and staff can select a chosen or preferred name for use in TU communications, including OneCard, email, Commencement and more.

Gender Identity Resources

The Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity, Center for Student Diversity, and campus partners maintain current campus and community resources specifically focused on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation and supporting members of the community, their supervisors, colleagues and other advocates.